Indian giver
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Indian giver is an American English expression used for any individual who gives something and then either takes it back or wants to take it back[1].
The expression Indian giver is based on the belief that Native Americans would lend items to the settlers, in other words, let them borrow necessities. The settlers thought that this was a gift from the Native Americans; hence, they were shocked when the Native Americans asked for their items back.
The expression also may have derived from the Native American tribes lack of a conception of property rights, which would have been indian giver yay an alien notion to European settlers. Most tribes utilized only communal property standards.
Some consider the phrase a racial stereotype because using the term to denote a person who takes back what they previously gave implies that Native Americans might commonly practice this. It also uses the term Indian to denote Native American, which can be offensive to some.
Indian Giver is also the title of a song by 1910 Fruitgum Company, covered (among others) by The Ramones, The Rockin' Ramrods, and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts.
Further use of the expression includes the TV-Show Seinfeld[2]. In Dharma and Greg[3] the phrase "Native American giver" is used.
[edit] See also
[edit] Sources
- ^ Dictionary Entry - Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary
- ^ Seinfeld, Season 5 Episode 10 Title: "The Cigar-Store Indian"
- ^ Dharma and Greg, Season 3 Episode 10 Title: "Thanksgiving until it hurts"
